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The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment rates in tech fields are expected to grow at a rate faster other types of employment. In spite of this growth, certain minority groups remain underrepresented in the tech job market. The Latino community comprises 18 percent of our nation's population, but makes up only 4 percent of employment in tech fields.
Brent Wilkes, CEO of the League of United Latin American Citizens joins Robert Traynham for a discussion on diversity in STEM and the Latino tech gap. Click here for part 1 of the Latino Technology Gap.
Interview recorded Sept 6, 2017.

Traynham: So Brent, what is the solution How do we get to where we know where we need to go -- where there's much more diversity not just in the factories and the folks that actually make things, but in the C suite, where the decisions are being made How do we bridge this gap here
Wilkes: Well, I think that we have to do our part first. And for LULAC, that's been working on STEM issues, and we've been the leader in terms of developing programs like the Science Corps that works in middle school to really get students excited about Math and Science to our technology centers, where we have 68 different locations, and we're helping folks learn advanced computer science and coding and being able to be prepared for this opportunity to just getting folks into these great universities so they can get the kind of degrees that they need to be able to apply for this work. But by and large, I think the community's done that job, and there are lots of great candidates, as you mentioned, that are out there ready to engage in this line of work. And so that's where I think our focus is at the moment which is, how do we now get an opportunity to apply and put our folks that we've helped to get into these positions, you know, in front of these recruiters so that they do have a chance to work for these companies. And so that's why we've created this new Tech Summit. The Tech Summit is focused on bringing all these great applicants to the Tech Summit, but also bringing the recruiters and the people in the diversity shops to the Tech Summit to have a chance to sit down and talk to them. Both about, how do you get a job in these companies But also just to interview.
Traynham: So it sounds like through this Tech Summit, you're basically a facilitator. You're bringing both sides to the table.
Wilkes: Yes.
Traynham: And say, look, we're bringing talent to you, and look, not only are we bringing talent, but we're also bringing the companies to the talent, make this work.
Wilkes: Yes, exactly, and then I think on top of that, we're bringing the nonprofits that have been doing STEM work for a long time. LULAC and other organizations like the eSpida and the Asadas and the different organizations like LESA that have been focused on STEM and SHIP and saying, hey, we've got a lot of experience in the diversity space. We can help you because we know you're just kind of getting started at this. And so that's, I think, the C suite answer. I think we're asking those folks who are in charge of diversity, come and talk to us. Talk about, you know, what your success has been, what your struggles have been, and let's sit down and figure this out together because don t kind of hide and say we re not just successful. Come out and talk to us, and let's figure out how to move the path forward. Because it s too important. You know, more and more of our jobs are gonna be caught up in the gig economy, and we've seen it with now Uber, and we've seen it, of course, with Amazon, and we need to make sure our folks are getting the opportunity to work in these great companies.
Traynham: Last question for you, Brent. Traditionally -- I'm dating myself here -- it used to be that you had to work your way up the ladder. And perhaps when we get into the C suite, 15, 20 years into your career, maybe even 30 or 40 years into your career. Do we have to wait that long Do we have to wait 30 to 40 years, maybe even 15 years, to see more diversity in the C suite, or do you think the time is now, and perhaps maybe we can see diversity within the next two years
Wilkes: No, I definitely think that it's important to see an accelerated path to more diversity in the C suite, and I think it's important as consumers, we need to also say, look, we're gonna hold companies accountable. You know, we have a lot of choices, we don't have to use this company's service if they refuse to reach out and to engage our community and give them a chance to have a role within these companies. So I think it's important, as consumers are shopping for tech products and tech services that they think about, has this company been a good player when it comes to diversity and inclusion
Traynham: Brent Wilkes, we look forward to having you back on the program, hopefully not in 15 or 20 years, but over the next year or two, to have a progress report. I really appreciate you coming on.
Wilkes: Thanks so much for having me on.
Traynham: Thank you. And thank you for joining us, as well.And for more great conversations with leaders in your community and across the nation,visit comcastnewsmakers.com.I'm Robert Traynham.

The Asian American Pacific Islander community makes up six percent of the U.S. population, but is growing more than four times as rapidly as the total U.S. population. Asians are the largest group of immigrants to enter the U.S. as immigrants. A conversation with Janelle Wong, Senior Researcher at AAPI Data about the fastest-growing but one of the understudied racial groups in the United States.

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The 2018 Special Olympics USA Games will be hosted this summer in Seattle, with more than 4,000 athletes and coaches representing 50 states and the District of Columbia. Jason Schriml of the Special Olympics USA Games discussed the impact the games and this organization that highlights athletes with intellectual disabilities through highly competitive sports, uplifting experiences, and demonstrating inclusion for all.

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Preparations are underway for the 2020 United States Census. A fair and accurate count of all communities is of major importance, as data gathered is used to determine federal funding, congressional representation and more. For some populations, including Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, the process can be of concern due to immigration status, language barriers and fear of providing personal information. John Yang, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC joins Robert Traynham to discuss the importance of an accurate count, especially for the AAPI population in America.

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Filipino Americans make up the third largest subgroup of Asian Americans today, with millennials comprising nearly a quarter of this population. And while there about 4 million Filipino and Filipino Americans living in the U.S today, this population is underrepresented in political and leadership roles. Brendan Flores, National Chairman of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations joins Robert Traynam to discuss the welfare and well-being of Filipino Americans and efforts to strengthen the personal and professional development of young Filipino Americans.

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According to the Pew Research Center, the U.S. Asian population increased 72 percent between 2000 and 2015, resulting in the fastest growth rate of any major racial or ethnic group. And as this population continues to grow, there remains a lack of involvement in politics and corporate leadership positions. Kendall Kosai, Deputy Director at OCA National discussed programs designed to help high school students explore their identity, and encourage them to become future community leaders.

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Korean Americans, like many other Asian Americans, are recent immigrants to the United States, emigrating in large numbers after 1965. As first and second generation Americans, many still have close ties with their homeland, where family and friends still reside. A discussion with Sam Yoon, Executive Director of the Council of Korean Americans on the Korean American community, including their ties to both North and South Korea.

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Tracy’s Kids is an organization created to help young cancer patients and their families cope with the emotional stress and trauma of cancer and its treatment through art and play therapy.
On February 27, 2018, Tracy’s Kids hosted its annual “And the Winner is…” red carpet fundraising event featuring Second Lady of the United States Karen Pence, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) and more. This organization not only ensures children and families are emotionally equipped to fight cancer, but also preparation for a cancer-free future.

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Filipino Americans make up the third largest subgroup of Asian Americans today, with millennials comprising nearly a quarter of this population. And while there about 4 million Filipino and Filipino Americans living in the U.S today, this population is underrepresented in political and leadership roles. Brendan Flores, National Chairman of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations joins Robert Traynam to discuss the welfare and well-being of Filipino Americans and efforts to strengthen the personal and professional development of young Filipino Americans.

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The US Administration for Children and Families reports that an estimated 683,000 children are the victims of abuse of neglect each year in the United States. What does abuse look like What should you do if you suspect abuse A discussion with Teresa Huizar, Executive Director of the National Children's Alliance.

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Marriage equality is the law of the land across the United States. However, in thirty-one states, employees can still be fired, simply for being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. In Florida, local laws protect LGBT citizens from discrimination in sixty percent of the state. Without a statewide nondiscrimination law, the LGBT community has no guaranteed employment protections. Click here for part 1 of LGBTQ Nondiscrimination Laws.
Brittany Link-Hayes of Equality Florida joins Robert Traynham to track the latest legislative developments out of her state, and nationwide.
Visit Equality Florida on the web, on Facebook or follow on Twitter.
Interview recorded on May 17, 2017. Hosted by Robert Traynham. Part 2 of 2.
Read a partial transcript of this interview below:
Traynham: And, Brittany, we should also say, just a personal right of privilege, going to Florida a lot -- You know, it's a paradise state. There's no doubt about it. It's the Sunshine State, but it's also a southern state. -
Link-Hayes: Correct. -
Traynham: And for this to be even considered in the Florida legislature I think is a significant milestone because of that. Am I not correct
Link-Hayes: Oh, you are absolutely correct, yes, and this has taken decades of work, decades of visible, public education. We have built a coalition of business support, you know, businesses that have nondiscrimination protection policies in place and are saying, "Look, this isn't just the right thing to do, but it's absolutely the smart thing to do." So along with that, our bipartisan coalition in the Florida Legislature and raising faith voices, you know, we are actually now poised to be the breakthrough state in the south and to actually pass LGBTQ protections.
Traynham: Actually, great minds think alike. That was gonna be my next question is do you think Florida will be the state that Mississippi, Alabama -- some of the other states could say, "If Florida can do it, so can we"
Link-Hayes: Exactly. You're correct. And that's what we're hoping to do by passing these protections is to sort of break that log jam in the south and then allow that to ripple, you know, through the nation. And we already have multiple different education campaigns that we're running like our Equality Means Business campaign that other states are replicating to, again, pass their own protections.
Traynham: How do you measure success I mean, clearly the ultimate goal is to get the bill passed and signed into law by the governor, but is there a lot of grassroots support or a lot of mayors and small-business owners on board that perhaps another state could say, "Listen, this is how Florida did it. We need to emulate this."
Link-Hayes: Right, and we absolutely started at the local level. That's probably our number-one thing. And right now, 60% of Floridians actually live in an area that have LGBTQ protections. That's a huge number. That's more than half of Floridians that already live there. And the same with our bipartisan coalition in Florida, in the legislature. You know, that's also a staggering number -- a third of Republicans -- You know, a third of our 71 co-sponsors being Republican. That really shows that this is a bipartisan issue, and, you know, that's what we'll need to pass it nationwide.
Traynham: Brittany, why are you inspired to do the work that you are doing with respect to ending discrimination, not only just in Florida but across the country
Link-Hayes: Well, no, it's absolutely the right thing to do, and, you know, LGBTQ people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect and to be treated equally under the law, and so this is really why it's our number-one priority at this moment.
Traynham: Are you getting a lot of calls from around the country trying to see exactly how you're doing this so perhaps maybe they can emulate later on this year
Link-Hayes: Right. No. Yes. We definitely are. And another program along with our Equality Means Business program that has been replicated in multiple states has also been our transgender inclusion initiative. And so that's been another one where we are trying to raise transgender voices and, again, explain what issues are important to the LGBTQ community.
Traynham: Brittany, in the minute or so we have left, any lessons learned Anything that, perhaps, if I'm in the state of Alabama or Pennsylvania, whatever the case may be -- that will say, "You know what This is how Florida did it. This is how we probably shouldn't do it in terms of..." Anything in terms of lessons learned
Link-Hayes: Right. I think the biggest thing is that, you know, we have -- You know, people are very worried right now with the political climate, but we have always -- The LGBTQ movement has always thrived in a hostile climate, and so, one, that's one of the things I think we can really take away from that is that we can build bipartisan coalitions, we can build support with faith leaders and with the business community, and we can, you know -- we can carve out victories in this type of environment. And so by doing so, that's how we are going to pass protections, you know, not just in Florida but nationwide and continue to progress to full equality.
Traynham: Well, Brittany Link-Hayes. Really appreciate it, and you're an inspiration.
Link-Hayes: Thank you so much.
Traynham: And thank you for joining us, as well. For more great conversations with leaders in your community and across the nation, visit comcastnewsmakers.com. I'm Robert Traynham.

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